Batman (1943) vs Superman (1948)

Superman may have beaten Batman to the comics but the Caped Crusader got his own mini-series a whole five years before the Man of Steel ever did. However, poor old Batman had been used and manipulated, this wasn't really the Batman kids loved from the comics, this was a propaganda tool used by the US government during World War II. Batman's enemy was a Dr. Daka, a Japanese scientist and agent of Hirohito who was hell-bent on turning the citizens of Gotham into Zombies for no particular reason, other than Japs bad, Americans good. The Japanese American internment camp is actually referenced in the first episode, whereby our villain's secret lair, an old disused fun-house in a once Japanese populated area is described; "This was part of a foreign land, transplanted bodily to America and known as little Tokyo. Since a wise government rounded up the shifty-eyed Japs, it has become virtually a ghost town.." Holy racism Batman! Batman wasn't much of a fighter either. He had no great plan and would get knocked out quiet regularly by henchmen of average build. Robin was also next to useless, although he does save the day by accidentally killing Dr. Daka by pressing the wrong button and releasing a trap door leading to a pit of Crocodiles. Whoops.

 Superman on the other hand learned from Batman's mistakes and was far less political (or racist). His origin story was given a whole episode of its own and a much more sinister villain called The Spider Lady. However, this version of Superman isn't particularly bright. He falls for the most obvious of traps and is often rather clumsy. The special effects are charming but not great, particularly the flight scenes whereby Superman simply turns into a cartoon version of himself. Deadpool is said to be the first superhero to have broken down the 'fourth wall' but actually it was 1948's Superman who would turn to the camera and give the audience a cheeky smile every time he entered a cupboard to get changed in. Lewis Wilson was quite a dashing Bruce Wayne but his Batman costume was baggy and made it impossible for him to do anything with the alter ego. Kirk Alyn on the other hand was likable as Clark Kent and heroic as Superman, for all his faults, he was always charming and lovable. Both the 1943 and 1949 Batman miniseries' are pretty bad, and although people love the George Reeves' Superman, I always had a soft spot for Alyn. It was well known that George Reeves disliked playing the Man of Steel towards the end but Alyn always cherished the part. His brief cameo in 1978's Superman is pretty wonderful. 

In this particular episode of Batman vs. Superman - Superman wins!